butler



Nov. 18, '1 924;

R. s. BUTLE R MINE SHOVEL Original Filed oct- 11 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. S. BUTLER NINE SHOVEL Nov. 18; 2

Original iled 06 11. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. S. BUTLER Nov. 18, 1924- MINE SHOVEL s Shets-Sheet 5 gnwntoc ZZOZG Z 5.511%

Original Filed Oct. 11. 1920 Nov. 18, 1924- Re. 15,950 R. S. BUTLER MINE SHQVEL Original Filed 06$. 11 192 5 Sheets-Shoot 4 gnwntoz R. S. BUTLER XI NE SHOVEL A 2 9 1 .m 1 m N Original Filed Oct. 11'. 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Reiuued Nov. 18, 1924.

UNITED! sra'res PATENT oar-Free.

or" mummalgam um snom.

To all wham "it may concern:

'Be it'known that I 'Ronnn'r S. BUTLEn,'-a citizen of'the United states, residing at J 011- lin,= in the county, of Jasper and f State of Missouri,- have invented certainnew and useful Improvements-in Mine Shovels, of which the fol-lowin a specification.

This invention re ates to mine shovels, and it com rises asuitable support, a cylinder pivota I mounted thereoma pair of pistons mounted in said cylinder, piston rods secured to saidpistons, a shovel or dipper pivotally attached to the outer extension of one of said piston rods, the other plston rod being connectedto said shovel to actuate it onits pivot, guides connected to said first mentioned iston rod to travel therewith and normal y cause said shovel to travel in ahorizontal plane, and'mea-ns for locking -saidguides to revent movement thereof and cause the cy inder to swing on its pivot when the pistons are actuated.

' In the prior art, there are disclosed va-f rious constructions of shoveling and loading machinesfor underground use. Devices.

of this character must be capable of dig ing as wellas loading to be satisfactory. several miachines have been developed which are capable ofbeing employed for loading coal,

broken rock orthe like, onto tramcars after ithas been mined or dug by hand. These machines have not been generally adopted for the reason that they do not sufliciently eliminate hand work and are therefore not satisfactory. v

A machine of this sort to be entirely sat isfactory must be flexible and must be' capable of loading-cars in substantiallyany relative position. been constructed which-aresatisfactory in some respects, but which can load a car on when the car is in'one certain positionw'it 1 reference to the digging and loading machine. The amount of space fortracliage in a mine is very' liinited and the restriction imposcd by. this weakness of some types of mine shovels is a very serious one, as it neces sitates-an undue amount of hand shoveling to keep the drift clean. o

A device of this sort must mobile, as it is of'the utmost importance that the shovel be so constructed that it can instantly and constantly-be moved forward into the'work' and quickly moved back or into a fresh place Without a reciable loss of time. A shovel Various machines have 1,5 4,421; t me 41 m 12', 1924, Serial Io.'416,175, fl1od 0mm 11,-190'0. maewealue. 30,1198. Appflloation for retnue fled October 13, 1824. Serial 80. 748,504.

amount of machine is'incapable'of moved'quickly and is' 'ther'efore uhsatisface present is uni he in thi'respect, that shouldthe dipper e inert when on the forward-movement and'partly' filled with dirt or rock, 1a.ir"is' admitted to the front end of the cylinder which causes the machine to move forward to its work untilthat inertia is overcome; or, by reason of the novel features in the elevating mechanism, the dipper may be withdrawn" to starting position without elevated. The machine is comparatively light in weight, compact in form, strong and durable with a flexibility any machine now in use.

In the present invention, I amining shovel that is operated by compressed air or other fluid, eliminating me- I chanicall operated moving parts in mesh with eac "other, such' as gearing and the like, which have proved unsatisfactory due to the-excessive wear of the parts because of deposition of dust'and grit during operation.. The niachineis very simple, com rising a single pivotally mounted cylinder avtheshovel is swung on-its pivot, causing digging op'r'ation. v v I v The dipper may be elevated whenever'de- 1 sired, but preferably on the middle third of B the forward'move-mentofthe "piston by means of a latching system which causes the power admitted to the forward end of the cylinder to swi the cylinder in an arc of a circle. Afier tlie 'cylinder'is elevated, to elevate the shoveli suitable latching mechanism isautomatica ly brought into ockin position to maintain the dipper'in'elevate position and to permit t d longitudinal movement and the dumpingthereof. The dumping operation is accomplished by the same mechanism which is employed to enable the dipper .to dig.

The entire machineis mounted on a turn-' table whereby the shovel may be swung in that is impossible" in hav producea 1 ing a pair of pistons therein, By introducshown one em a a circle to-eithersideor to the rear after being elevated, to empty the contents mto an suitable receptacle, such as a car.

11' the accom anying drawings, I have ent of the invention. this showin r Figure 1 IS a side elevation of the machine showing the-c linder in elevated posit on and showing 't parts in extreme reaching position, also thedipper in dumping position, in dotted lines,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the cylinder in horizontal position,

F i re 3 is a detail perspective view of the sovel showing the manner in which it is ivoted, y i

igure 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the cylinder,

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the machine, 7

Figure 6 is a plan view of the turntable,

Figure 7 is a detail view of the latching mechanism, 1

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view of the cross head and guide connected to the piston rods. I

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the mannerofcontrolling the inlet of flui to the cylinders, v

Figure 10 is aside elevation of a track engaging means to prevent the device from moving rearwardly, and, Figure 11 is an end elevation thereof. Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a cylinder to which is secured abracket 2 carrying a sleeve 3. A rod or shaft'4 passes through the sleeve and this rod is received in bearings 5 carried by uprights 6 secured to the frame of the machine. It will be apparent that the cylinder is pivoted with respect to the frame of the machine and may be arranged either in horizontal position as shown in Figure 2, or at an incline, as shown in Figure 1. Vertical supporting members 6 are secured to an- %ilar plates 7 having horizontal portions 8. he horizontal portions of the angular members are secured to the movable member 9 of a turn-table, said member being provided with enlargements 10 for the reception thereof. The turn-table includes a basell adapted to receive thekmovable member 9, and suitable bearings 12 are arranged on the turn-table for the reception of axles 13. Wheels14 are mounted-on the axles whereby the device may be moved on tracks 15. Referring in detail to Figure 4 of the drawings, a pair of pistons 16 and 17 is arranged wlthin the cylinder. These pistons are provided with iston rods projecting through the forward head 18 of the cylinder, the cylinder head 'being provided with suitable packing 19', if desired. The forward piston is providedwith a hollowvpiston rod 19 and the rear piston is provided with a piston rod InT 20, arranged within the hollow piston rod and extending beyond the same. Anopening 21 1s arranged in the inner piston rod and a pipe 22 is extended into this opening, he plpeextends through the rear piston and passes through an opening in the rear cylinder head. As shown, the inner piston rod is provided with a plurality of ports 23 to permit communication between the opening21 and the interior of the cylinder between the pistons. The forward head of the cylinder is provided with an inlet 24 to which fluid under pressure is conveyed by pipe 25. The rear cylinder head is provided with a similar opening 26, having a pipe 27 connected thereto. The pipe 22 extends through the rear cylinder head and is connected to a pipe 28.

Referrin to. Figure 9 of the drawings the feed pipes 25, 27 and 28 are ovide with three-way valves 29, 30 an 31, re-

spectively, to control the admission of fluid to the ends of the cylinder or to the space between the pistons, and to permit exhaust from the cylinder to the atmosphere. Beyond the valves, these pipes are connected to a common supplying ipe 32, provided with a valve 33 to control t e flow of air or fluid.

The outer piston rod 19 is adapted to control the forward, rearward and elevating movements of the shovel. As shown, this rod is provided with a pair of transverse rods 34 arranged adjacent its outer ends. A pair of beams 35 is secured to the two transverse beams and a shovel 36 is carried by these beams.

beams are rovided with angular extensions 39. The orward ends ofthe beams are curved downwardly, as at 40, and are adapt-- ed to engage a pair of cleats 41, arranged on the sides of the shovel when the shovel is in normal position. A pair of brackets 42 is secured to the beams in line with each other and these brackets are adapted to support a transverse rod 43. The bucket is secured to a pair of arms 44, pivotally supported on the transverse rod 43, each of the arms being provided with transverse portions 45, having links 46 arranged thereon. The links 46 are disposed adjacent eachother andthe connecting link 47 is secured to the outer ends of the links. The other end of the connecting link is forked, as M48, and is provided with openings for the reception of a pin 49, which passes through the inner piston rod 20. I

. The guide members38 to which the longitudinal beams are secured may be made channel shape, as shown, and these members with the beams form a cross head adapted to reciprocate on the corresponding members 50, carried by the frame of the machine. The members 38 are provided with The rear.: ends of the beams are pivotally mounted, as at 37, on a a plurality of studs or projections 51 on: the lockis released, the inward movement: their upper faces. As latching member 521 of the piston 70 is retarded by the air in is secured to the frame of the machine and" the cylinder and the valve 69 permits the 5- tions' 51 to lock the ides many given .poso that the main cylinder is loweredgradu- 70 sition andpreventi i ngitudinal movement all and without shock. thereof. s shown, the latching. member cans are provided to prevent rearcomprises a transverse portion 53 having a ward movement of the frame of the pair of Ion itudinal arms 54 arranged at shovel when in'operative position. A rail...

each side. fi'hese arms are provided with gripping member 73 is pivoted toabracket 75 extensions 55 having o nings therein for onv the. under side of the frame as at 74 the reception of the end si of coil springs 56 and this member is provided with an em to normally maintain the latching member argement 75 at its lower end. An inclined in inoperative position. The opposite ends slot 76 is arranged in this enlargement, the

o the springs are secured to an suitable slot slanting downwardlyf part of the frame of the mac ine. As end to providea sharp shoulder-'77 at the shown, the latching member is pivotally rear end of the rail gripper, which will grip supported on a transverse rod 57 (see Figthe rail 15 in operative position andprevent ure 4). A latch 58 is secured to each of rearward movement of the machine. The

the longitudinal arms of the latching memmachine may be moved forwardly at all her, as at 59, and when the latching member times. is depressed by the 0 erator, the latch 58 An operators seat 78 is arran' ed on the engages one of the stu s 51 to revent longiframe 79 at the back of the mac ine. Thetudinal movement of the gui es 38. When seat is so arran ed that he operator may the latching member is in operative posireach the groum? tion and fluid under pressure is supplied machine on its turn-table or to prope the tothe forward end of the cylinder,' the machine along the tracks, and the various power exerted swings the cylinder on its control valves 29, 30, 31 and 33 are posipivot from the position illustrated in Figtioned near'the operators seat. Thelatchure 2 of the drawings to the position shown ing member 52 is so arranged that the operin full lines of Figure 1 of the drawings. ator may conveniently place his foot-on, the

As the cylinder assumes an inclined position, cross bar 53 'to operate 1t.v

the angular extensions 39 of the beams ashe operation of the machine is as fol- 1 sume a horizontal position adjacent the lOWs.

guides 38; Each of the guides 38 is pro- The machine is first positioned withthe vided with a locking member 60, pivoted on cylinder horizontal, as shown in Figure 2, the guides, as at 61, and having a lip or proand with pot-h pistons at the rear end of jection 62 ada ted to engage the angular the-cylinder. The operator propels the mamembers 39 when it assumes a horizontal chine along the track until it reaches the 40 position. Aspring 63 is arranged in enbank or drift'to becut by pushing along the gagement with the locking member to maingr nd Wi h his feet- Air is then admitted tain it in operative position. The looking to the cylinder through pipe 27 by opening member is provided with an extension 64 valve 30,,the valve 33 having been previwhereby it may be released. ously opened. The dipper or shovel is e cylinder is rovided with cushioning moved forwardly in a line parallel to the mechanism where y it may be gradually ground. Tllls forward motion of the diplowered from the position shown in full per is referred to in the art as crowding lines in Figure 1 of the drawings to its or creeping. When the dipper has been normal horizontal position when the lock moved forwardly a sufficient distance, the 60 is released. A cylinder 65 is pivotally supply of compressed airor fluid to the rear frame of the machine. As shown, the cylinvalve 30. The bucket may be reversed and der is provided with ears 67 adapted to recaused to move backward, if desired, by ceive a pivot pin' 68, arranged in the brackadmitting air to the forward end of" the at. The cylinder is provided with a spring cylinder through p1pe25. T isis accom- 12c pressed valve 69, the valve being arranged plished by opening valve 29. The digging to oppose the exhaust of fluid from the cyl-' operation is performed by admlttmgvenerg inderf Apiston 70 is arranged in the cylinbetween the two pistons. The valve 31 is der, the piston being carried by a piston opened to supply fillld to pipe 28, whence it rod 71.

secured to a bracket 72 carried by the main interior of the inner piston rod. From the cylinder. When the forward end of the interior of the pistonrod, the fluid passes main cylinder is elevated, as shown in Figthrough openings 23 into the cylmder beure 1 of the drawings, the piston in the cyltween the pistons. This-01113588 the. pistons inder 65 moves outwardly, as shown. When to move apart and draws .the mnenpiston rod emptied'by of the cylinder through p1pe 28 and swing- 20 rearwardly, moving the bucket from the position indicated in fulllines in Figure 2 of the drawings, to the position indicated in dotted lines. The connecting link 47 and the dip r supporting members. 44 and 46 cause te bucket to rotate on'rod 43, describing an arc of a circle. This is the digging operation and tends to fill the dipper and 'to'throw any particles into the dipper 10- that might. otherwise escape. After the dipper has been filled, it may be moved rearwardly by admitting air or other fluid to the forward end of the cylinder or it may be elevated.

' To elevate the dipper, the latch 52- is lowered, and the latching member 58 enga es one of the lugs 51 on the cross head 38. Kir is then admitted to the forward end of the cylinder through pipe 25, and the pistonsbeing restrained from rearward movement by the be'ams35 connected to the cross head and to the piston rod 19, the swun in the arc of'the circle to the position s own in Figure 1. When the angular extensions 39 of the beams assume a horizontal position, the locking members 60 engage the ends thereof, and the o rator may then release his foot from t e latching member, the cylinder then being maintained in elevated position. After the dipper has been elevated, it may beswung' on the turntable by the operator to bring it into position to empty its-contents into a car disposed on either side or to the rear of the machine. While in elevated, position, the dipper may be moved by admitting fluid to either end of the cylinder. When in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings with the latch released, the cross heads 38 are not restrained from longitudinal movement but the beams 37 are maintained at an angle by the locking member-6Q. With the parts in the position shown in full lines in igure 1 of the drawings, if air is admitted to the rear end of the cylinder, the pistons will be moved outwardly as indicated in dotted lines and the cross heads 38 will be moved on the guides 50. As the pistons are moved either forwardly or rearwardly with the beams locked, the angle of the cylinder will change but the dipper will neither be raised nor lowered.

When the bucket is arranged in proper position over the car, the contents may be admitting energy to the center ing the dipper on itspivot 1n the manner heretofore described.

When the machine is positioned with respect to the bank or drift to be cut, the rail gripping members 73 are arranged in position toprevent the machine -from moving rearwardl During operation, the machine is moved orwardly into the drift from time to time by the operator, the operator procylinder is gelling the machine along the tracks with is feet. When the machine is to be moved to a new location, the rail gripping members are swung upwardly to. inoperative posi- Valves 29, 30 and 31 areordinary three way yalves, adapted to-be arranged in one position to permit communication between the pipe 32 and'the pipes 25, 27 and 28, respectively, in a second position to permit communication between the pipes 25, 27 and 28 and the atmosphere, and in a third position to disconnect the pipes 25, 27 and 28 from the source of supply or from the atmosphere. 80

It will be apparent that I have provided a very simple apparatus for digging and loadin coal or other material in underoun work where the amount of space is limited and where a small machine is desired. I Y In the present machine, the parts are so arranged that the weight of the loaded dipper is not sufficient to offset the weight of the machine and-cause it to turn over. I order to secure proper counterbalancing with a machine of light weight, the operators seat is arranged in such pos'tion that the weight of the operator is added to the weight of the mechanism which must be overcome by the loaded dipper. When the weight of the machine alone is not sufficient to counterbalance the Weight of the loaded dipper, then by placing the operators seat at therear' of the machine, sufficient counterbalancing has been provided to offset any weight that the dipper may be expected to lift.

The machine is extremely flexible and any of the various operations may be stopped at started. There is no complete cycle in which single operations have to be completed before another is started. When the dipper is being mov forwardly, it can be instantly reversed or elevated. The digging operation may be performed at any time and the shovel may be moved rearwardly in a horizontal plane after digging or may be instantly elevated. After elevation, the shovel may be moved forwardly or rearwardly, or the entire device may be revolved on the turn-table. The dipper may be rotated at any time to dump it.

- The arrangement of the two pistons in a single cylinder in which the two pistons and piston rods act as a single unit at all times except at digging and dumping, is advantageous in that the number of parts is greatly reduced and the weight of the mechanism is reduced. When moving in a horizontal plane, the dipper is always resting on the ground so that the force for the digging operation is less than in other types of machines.

- It is to be understood that while I have described the preferred embodiment of my a gair f r0 5. secure invention, various changes in the shape, size,

and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

'Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A-Inine'shovel comprising a cylinder, istons mounted 'therein, piston to each of-said pistons, and a pivotally mounted shovel connected to one of said rods to control 'its'forward and rearward movement, the other piston rod being connected to said shovel toswing it on its pivot.

mine shovel comprising a. cylinder,

a pair of pistons mounted therein, piston r0 5 secured to each of said pistons, a pairof beams secured to one of said piston rods,

a shovel pivotally mountedon said beams,

and connections between said other piston rod and said shovel.

3. A mine shovelcomprising a cylinder,

a air of pistons-mounted therein," piston s secured to each of said pistons, a pivot ally mounted shovel connected to one of sis - all said rods to control its forward and rearward movementythe other piston. rod being connected to said shovel to swing it on its pivot, means for moving'said pistons as a unit, and means for moving each of said pistons independently of "the other.

4. A mine shovel comprising a cylinder, a pair of pistons mounted therein, piston rods secured to each of said pistons, a pivotmounted shovel connected to one of said r s to control its forward and rearward movement, the other piston rod being connected to said shovel to swing it on its pivot,

and means "for swinging said cylinder in a vertical plane to elevate said shovel.

5. A mine-shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder support mounted on said frame and capable of independent rotation with respect thereto, a cylinder carried by said support, a pair of pistons mounted therein, piston rods secured to each of said pistons and a pivotally mounted shovel connected to one of said rods to control its forward and rearward movement, the other piston rod being connected to said shovel to swing it on itspivot.

6. A mine shovel comprising a frame,

a cylinder pivotally mounted on said frame,

a pair of pistons mounted therein, piston rods secured to said pistons, a pivotally mounted shovel connected to one of said rods, the other piston rod being connected to said shovel to swing it on its ivot, and means .for swinging said cylin er on its pivot.

7. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said frame, a ir o pistons mounted therein, piston secured to said pistons, a pivotally cylinder pivotally mounted on said 'mounted shovel connected tonne of said rods, the other piston rod'being connected to said shovel to swing it'on its pivot, means for swinging said cylinder on its-pivot, means for moving said pistons as a unit, and means for moving each of -said' pistons independently of the other.

8. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a

cylinder support mounted on said frame @and ca able of rotation with respect thereto, a cy inder pivotally mounted on said support, a pair of PlStOIlSJIlOUIltGd therein,

piston rods-secured to said pistons, a:pivotally mounted shovel connected to one of said rods, the other piston rod being con-" nected to said shovel to swing it on its pivot,

and means for swinging said cylinder on its pivot.

9. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said frame, a pair of pistons mounted therein, piston rods secured to said pistons, a pair of beams cylinder pivotally mounted on said frame,

a pair of pistons mounted therein, piston rods secured to said pistons, a pair of beams connected to one of said piston rods, a

" shovel pivotally mounted on said beams,

the other piston rod being connected to said shovel to swing it-on its pivot, and means for locking said beams to prevent'rearward longitudinal movement of-said beams.

'11. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said frame, a pair of pistons mounted therein, piston rods secured to said pistons, a pair of beams connected to one of said piston rods, a shovel pivotally vmounted on said beams, the other piston rod being connected to said shovel to swing it on its pivot, means for locking said beams to prevent rearward longitudinal movement of said beams, means for moving said pistons as a unit, and means for moving said pistons independently of each other.

i 12. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder ivotally mounted on said frame, a pair of pistons mounted therein, iston rods se'cuured to said pistons, a pair of earns secured to one of said piston rods, a shovel pivotally mounted on said beams, 21 pair of ides mounted on the frame, cross headsslidably mounted on said guides, said beams being pivoted thereto, and connections between the other piston rod and shovel.

13; A mine shovel comprising a frame, a frame, a pair of pistons mounted therein, piston rods secured to said pistons, a pairof beams secured to one of said piston rods, a shovel pivotally mounted on said beams, a pair of guides mounted on the frame, cross heads slidably mounted on said guides, said beams being pivoted thereto, connections between 'the other piston rod and shovel, and means said guides for locking said cross headsto to prevent rearward longitudinal movement thereof.

14. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder Fivotally mounted on said frame, a pair 0 istons mounted therein, piston rods secured to said pistons, a pair of beams secured to one of said piston rods, a shovel pivotally mounted on said beams, a pair of guides mounted on the frame, cross heads slidably mounted on said guides, said beams beingpivoted thereto, connections between the'other piston rod and shovel, and means for locking said cross heads to said guides to prevent rearward longitudinal movement thereof topermit said cylinder to be moved to an inclined position, and means for looking said cylinder in inclined position.

15. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said frame, a air 0 istons mounted therein, piston to s secured to said istons, a pair of eams secured to one of said piston rods, a shovel pivotall'y mounted-on said beams, a pair of guides mounted on the frame, cross heads slidably mounted on said guides, said beams being pivoted thereto, connections between the other piston rod and shovel, means for moving said pistons as a unit, and means for moving said pistons independently of each other.

16. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said frame, a air 0 (pistons mounted therein, iston. ro secure to said istons, a pair of ams secured to one of said piston rods, a shovel pivotally mounted on said beams, a pair of the frame, cros heads slidably mounted on being pivoted thereto, connections between the other piston rod and shovel, means for locking said cross heads tosaid guides to prevent rearward longitudinal movement thereof, means for moving said pistons as a unit, means for moving said pistons independently of each other, and means for moving said shovel forward and rearward in elevated position.

17. A mine shovel comprising a frame, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said frame, a air of pistons mounted therein, piston ro s secured to said pistons, a pair of beams secured to one of said piston rods, a shovel pivotally mounted on said beams, a pair of guides mounted on the frame, cross heads slidably' mounted on said guides, said beams being pivoted thereto, connections between the other piston rod and shovel, means for locking said cross heads to said guides to prevent rearward longitudinal movement thereof to permit said cylinder-to be moved to an inclinedposition,

said cylinder in inclined position, means for means for locking moving said shovel forward and rearward in elevated position, means for moving said pistons as a unit, and means for moving said pistons independently of each other.

18. A mine shovel comprising a support, a pair of reciprocating members mounted thereon, means for reciprocating said members independently. of each-other or Fin unison, and a nected to one of said members to control its forward and rearward movement, theother member being connected to said shovel to swing it on its pivot.-'

In testimony whereof, I; a'flix my: signature.

ROBERT I S BUTLER.

pivotally mounted. shovel com-' 

